Mahdzir: Sanusi Should Not Interfere in UMNO’s ‘Rumah Bangsa’ Initiative

KUALA LUMPUR: Kedah Umno chairman Mahdzir Khalid has told Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor not to interfere in Umno’s internal efforts to reunite former party members through the “Rumah Bangsa” initiative.

Mahdzir said he found it puzzling that Sanusi, who is also PAS election director and a leader in Perikatan Nasional, frequently comments on Umno’s affairs instead of focusing on matters within his own party and his responsibilities as menteri besar.

He said the “Rumah Bangsa” initiative mentioned by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was intended as a call for former Umno members to return to the party.

According to Mahdzir, the initiative is meant to serve as a mechanism for Malay unity and a platform for discussions on issues affecting the community, including education, Bumiputera rights and the economy.

“But why is Sanusi so busy commenting on the matter when it is not something he needs to interfere with?” he said in a statement today.

Mahdzir was responding to remarks by Sanusi two days ago describing the Rumah Bangsa initiative as an attempt by Umno to reassert itself as the “big brother”.

He said the remarks reflected what he described as politics driven by hatred and division rather than efforts to unite the Malay community.

“As a leader from a party that claims to represent Islamic values, he should not spread sentiments of hatred, especially during the month of Ramadan,” Mahdzir said.

He added that Sanusi’s conduct was inconsistent with Islamic teachings that encourage unity and discourage division among Muslims.

Mahdzir said he rarely comments on Sanusi but felt compelled to respond because the Kedah menteri besar had repeatedly made remarks about Umno leaders.

“He has gone too far. He feels very powerful and thinks he cannot be defeated in Kedah, to the point that he mocks and insults others as he pleases. He should not think that Kedah belongs to him alone,” he said.

Mahdzir also accused Sanusi of deliberately raising issues involving Umno to divert attention from what he described as weaknesses in the state administration.

He cited Sanusi’s recent claim that a former Kuala Nerang assemblyman owned 300 acres of land, saying the allegation appeared to implicate several former representatives from the constituency.

Mahdzir also dismissed Sanusi’s claim circulating on social media that Umno turns to Malays when it is desperate but turns to DAP when it is comfortable.

He said the PAS leader should remember that PAS itself had previously worked closely with DAP.

Mahdzir pointed to PAS’s cooperation with DAP in the former Barisan Alternatif coalition, claiming the party had once strongly supported DAP leaders.

He also stressed that Umno had not entered into a political partnership with DAP, saying the party joined the unity government in line with the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to ensure political stability in the country.